[large]Bomb Group: 335 Bomb Group (M)
Bomb Squadron: 477th Bomb Squadron
Years in service: 30 Oct 42 - ??? 1945
Graduation Class:
Class Location:
Comments: I am looking for information on my Grandfather, 1st Lt. Warren C "Skeet" Lowe. He passed away when my mother was 6 years old (1953) while flying a civilian commercial airline. I have recently become in possession of various military records of my grandfather's and found out that he was a part of the Marauder Men. I would love to hopefully get some more info on his or his crew's military service, stories, or photographs.
At the time when he was shipped to the ETO his crew members were: Combat Crew No. 4; 2nd Lt. Frank S. Barrett (Pilot), 2nd Lt. Ernest A. Benck (Bomb-Nav), S/Sgt Thurlow R. Rewis (Radio-Gun), S/Sgt Gerald W. Galloway (Engr-Gun), & Sgt Thaddeus (NMI) Romanowski (Aerial Gun). At this time my grandfather was 2nd Lt. Warren C Lowe (Co-Pilot). This info was listed on orders from Barksdale Field, Shreveport, LA dated 14 March 1943.
Listed on another paper dated 17 Sept 1943 was a list of "Combat Missions completed over enemy occupied territory."
28 July, 31 July, 18 Aug, 25 Aug, 2 - 6 Sep, 8 & 9 Sep, 11 Sep, & 16 Sep of 1943. This fulfilled his requirements for promotion to 1st Lt.
Anything would be helpful in knowing more info of my Grandfather. I have attached 2 photos of him for your archives.
Thank you,
Debra Bishop
Bomb Group: 17th
Squadron: 432nd
Years is Service: 43-45
On February 20, 2012 Lt. Col Charles A Muse, Sr. passed away quietly at home, age 92. He was laid to rest on the 22nd, 67 years to the day from when his B-26 was shot down on the return leg of a bombing mission over Germany. S/Sgt Clarence Loop is the last remaining member of the air crew. He was interviewed for the History Channel's special on the B-26 and nonchalantly described approaching a target with the flak all around. He then went on to describe in vivid detail what it was like when his craft was shot down. When ever he spoke about being shot down, he always made it sound so routine, then my mother would remind him of the recurring nightmare he had until the late 60s. He always down-played the danger, saying something like "it was my job." We have a photo of him and the whole crew and there is not one person in the photo over 25. They were the "Finest Generation" and I am proud to be his son. -Larry Muse
Bomb Group: 319th
Bomb Squadron: 440th
Years in service:?
Graduation Class: ?
Class Location: ?
Comments: Stanley was my second cousin. Was shot down 9/26/1944 near Firenzuola, Italy KIA in B-26B 42-95785 any info or pictures would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
It's only six pages long, but it confirms much of what has been written in many of the B-26 histories that I've read. Considering the fact it was produced by the Air Force and also that it covers many important points in the history of the B-26, I would consider it a very useful and valuable document. Unfortunately, a PDF file isn't easily searchable and its text can't be read by the search-engines out on the web. As I only stumbled upon it by chance, I thought that it worth the effort to get it transcribed into text so that its information can be more easily found and used. I tried putting the PDF through an OCR, but that didn't work too well. So, I printed it out and typed it all in by hand. I used a text-to-speech program to proof read it (about six times before all the mistakes were found and corrected). The final text file containing the transcription is attached. I hope you agree that it's a valuable historical document and perhaps will create a page somewhere on B26.COM for the text.
Putting the PDF version of the document on B26.COM probably isn't the right thing to do, considering it was obtained from another source, but I can't see a problem with posting a transcription of the document as this document is probably available to anyone from the Air Force archives.
The third from last paragraph states that a recommendation was made on June 29, 1943, to reduce production of the B-26. From the earlier paragraphs, it would seem that this decision was made by the Air Force. The Truman Committee announced (in document "Serial Set Vol. No. 10758, Session Vol. No.4, 78th Congress, 1st Session, S.Rpt. 10 pt., 10" that you previously sent to me) that "the Army plans to taper off its (B-26) production". So, both documents state that this decision was made by the Army Air Force and not the Truman Committee. But as the committee were the ones who made the announcement, many people either misunderstood or inferred that it was Truman who made the decision.
It's still an interesting question as to how much Truman got involved with the B-26. The objective of the Truman committee was to investigate problems associated with the production of materials for war. As you know, there were many things under the scrutiny of the committee, and if he took an interest in the B-26 it may well have been in the cost of B-26 production, and how to produce as many aircraft as quickly and as cheaply as possible rather than its safety record.
Perhaps the stories and anecdotes about Truman seeing crashed and burning B-26s, and of Truman's encounters with Glenn Martin are true. If Truman (or indeed anyone else) thought that people were being killed and injured in B-26 accidents, or that Martin should put more effort into fixing problems with the aircraft, then I would have thought he would have tried to use his influence to improve matters.
There is the reference in the document "Serial Set Vol. No. 10758, Session Vol. No.4, 78th Congress, 1st Session, S.Rpt. 10 pt., 10" section "AIRCRAFT ACCIDENTS" that states "In addition to the foregoing the committee has been engaged in a study of military plane crashes and at a subsequent date will report on this subject. The committee is concerned about the large number of such casualties, particularly in non-combat operational flights in this country." Do documents for this study exist and, if so, where are they ?
The case history states that there were some problems with outsourcing production of B-26 components, especially at the Omaha plant. Maybe Truman and the Air Force thought that Martin wasn't being as co-operative as other airplane manufacturers with regard to outsourcing. But there are many, many problems with outsourcing (which I've read about in the book about aircraft production by I.B. Holley) and most are difficult to resolve, especially for a highly-engineered aircraft like the B-26.
Anyway, I hope that you'll find the time to read the document yourself - it's worth the time. As always, any thoughts, ideas, or suggestions are always welcome.
Cheers,
Steve Sharp
Hi Steve,
Yes an early decision was made to phase out the B-26 and the A-20, however in the case of the B-26 a further production batch was ordered. The Marauder fulfilled the role of a tactical support bomber superbly and beyond all previous opinions of Gen. Hap Arnold and the other brass. It's loss rate was so low per mission flown that by the end of 1944 there were so many B-26's available as replacements, that the surplus was supplied to the RAF and the French. They in fact had no need of them either at this stage of the war, for they too were having very few losses and many of the B-26's supplied never went any further than the respective depots. So with the nearness of the end of the war in Europe meant less replacements.
Trevor Allen, Historian b26.com
Thanks, I appreciate it. Mark Noah
He mentions the following other crewmen----my apologies if there is any misspelling or other inaccuracy----some of the notes are hard to decipher after 68 years:
Charlie "Pappy" Kreiling, who was killed in 1943 in Kentucky
Bill "Snake" Parke, who was killed in Europe in 1944
Joe Boylan, a pilot who was shot down over Germany, but survived in a POW camp and returned to the US after the war, where he was reunited with his custom made boots he got in London.
Bob "Deacon" Clark
Bob Logan
Ernie Ljungdren
Hank Sloss
Lamar Jellars
Bob Lajaue, a pilot who landed B26 tail number 21077, but when he landed the tail was shot up (amazing photo!), for which he received the DFC
Paul J. Reidlinger, Pilot
Kenneth C. Fuller, Copilot
Rex E. Dickey, Engineer
John Perry, Radio/Gunner
John J. Hardy, Gunner
If any of the readers would like to see the source of this information, or any of the photos, send a note back and we can try to connect. -Thanks, Mac McConnell
Looking for any stories and /or pics.
RG Bates
Doing research on pilots who trained here at Laughlin and flew B-26s during D-day, 6 Jun 44. Any help or direction would be greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Jack
JACK G. WAID
47 FTW/HO (Historian)
Laughlin AFB
Please contact me. I tried to get in touch with Ron Miller a couple years ago and never had any luck. I fear he may have passed before I found his messages online.
I welcome any communication from anyone who knew ‘Uncle Mont’. (He and three other brothers gave all for their country, one in Korea, and one in Vietnam, who’s name is Mark Stephensen. I don’t know much else, but would love to hear from anyone!
Stephen Chamberlain
I have been into the research business for 14 years now. It started in March 1998, more out of a favor towards a Californian family. I did not know anything about the air war issue, let alone war planes. Coincidently, like the very first case, the following cases also happen to be 2nd AD related. Hence the Liberator is likely more familiar to me, than the Marauders.
If I had to describe myself, I am less knowledgeable of technical issues on aircrafts and air war, rather trying to be an investigator for Allied missing air crew personnel. You know, I am more the one who spends nights over an IDPF or making phone calls to the US. A while ago I was contacted by my friends of the Netherlands American Cemetery at Margraten, to look into one specific case involving a Marauder crew named on the Wall of The Missing.
I sadly learned how few info seems available about the Ninth AF and even less, when looking for specific bomber groups and personnel.
I would be so pleased to learn more about below unit and crew. Could it be, that by coincident in the past, a family member related to that specific crew may have contacted you to learn more about their loved ones ? It is also my hope one day to obtain photos showing their faces. These are the data I have so far:
322nd Bomber Group / 450th bomb squadron:
B-26 Marauder air crew
A/C-serial: 42-96225
P 1st LT Dow, William E.
CP 2nd LT Booth, Dwight K.
B T/SGT Sievers, Robert L.
RO S/SGT Kittredge, David R.
E S/SGT Howard, Robert E.
(TG S/SGT Pitzen, Lloyd R. ) he bailed out and returned to duty
Above air crew were stationed at AAF Sta A-89, Ninth AF
Their airbase was apparently in Belgium - Airfield A-89 is believed Le Culot Airfield near Beauvechain (Belgium).
Thank you for your time. In hope for your response which is more than appreciated.
With best regards,
E. Schwartz
This crew were in B-26 42-96225 coded ER-X of the 450th Bomb Squadron 322nd Bomb Group. The target on the 16th April 1945 Wittenburg, and the aircraft took a direct flak hit last being seen on fire and diving rapidly. One parachute was seen to open this being S/Sgt Lloyd R Pitzen who became a prisoner of war. The B-26 crashed into a built up area and exploded on impact.
Please feel free to ask any further questions.
Regards Trevor Allen, historian, B26.com
First segment:
Wire recording from the air over Germany, on the way to bomb a railyard Marshalling Yard: from Douglas A-26 bomber "Gambler's Luck" in Corbin's Crusaders of the 386th Bomb Group.
Correspondent: Lt. Tom Gahagen (?). Captain Earl J. Slanker from Dayton, Captain Nick Bouras, Lead Bombardier, Chicago; Lt. Bob Copeland, Navigator, Seattle on bombing run.
Second segment:
1st Lt. Mark H. Gilman, Co-Pilot "Jack The Ripper", speaks about the AT9 aircraft
1st Lt. William C. Leasure, navigator "Jack The Ripper", speaks about the AT7 aircraft. Then there is a segment about the "Jack The Ripper" bomber crew's Air Medal. Segment includes Gilman, Leasure and T/Sgt. Karl L. Masters, Top Turret Gunner; Captain William J. Crumm; S/Sgt. Rufus W. Youngblood, Right Waist Gunner.
Song: "Bombardier Song"
Third segment:
RAF man talks about "Bostonize" strafing tactics with A-20 aircraft.
Forth segment:
Correspondent: Major Ben Chapman from an 8th AAF Air Sea Rescue Base in England. Wire recording of bomber's mayday/ditch and the air sea rescue mission.
Thanks, Jilly Dybka
I searched this site and saw a picture of his and his brother Lawrence’s grave stones at Arlington.
Can anyone provide me with any information, I know time is taking its toll on all these great men.
Thank you,
Joseph Van Zandt
I saw the photo of the B-26 flown by CAPT Wakeman and noticed de "kill marks" on the side of the cockpit.
Is anyone able to elaborate on the meaning of the ducks as well as the bombs painted at a 45 degree angle? Also some of the bombs seem to be painted in a different colour (but consistently, do old, worn out markings wouldn't seem a feasible explanation...), any reason for that?
Any insights would be appreciated..!
Many thanks in advance!
Cheers,
Will
We do not have a date for the mission (yet), at least we have not found it yet in our records. There is an entry I found on a website which could possibly be it, tagged as "probably March" which reads as follows:
"Returning from one mission, we let down through the overcast and with me being the seeing eye dog in the nose we dropped very cautiously to an altitude of about 800 feet before I spotted a breakthrough. We had let down so gradually we had flown off the north edge of the map, so we did a 180 degree turn and headed south until we saw the barrage balloons at Chelmsford which should have been down. We turned in and landed at our home base, the only aircraft to do so - all others had been diverted north to other bases. – Bill Butler (556th B.S.), Reflections of a Replacement Navigator."
We believe this took place prior to April 1944.
The amusing episode garnered mention in Grover Hall's history of the group, 1000 Destroyed, and I plan on doing an article on it in our May issue of the Eagle Eye. Apparently Chipping Ongar was fogged in, so a squadron - maybe more than one but we know the 557th was there for sure - put in at Debden. Debden is north of C.O. which fits the narrative above) What happened is this: The 557th crews could not believe what life was like at Debden (it had been a permanent RAF base prior to the war) and enjoyed their stay - which from what I can gather lasted at least 6 days. Crews actually had GI's from C.O drive down with fresh uniforms and tooth brushes! Some of these men stayed as well, ostensibly as "mechanics" sent to fix mechanical issues that were cropping up, coincidentally as the weather was clearing. They apparently really enjoyed the food and amenities offered at Debden!
Thought he weather had cleared around Debden, it was still duff at C.O. so the 557th guys went up on "affiliation" flights with the 4th guys. Word got around and soon groups with 47's and 38's were showing up to take part as well. Hall wrote that reporters sent to the base to do articles about the 4FG guys instead began writing about the 'stranded' Marauder boys. It was not your normal stay for transient aircraft seeking refuge from bad weather!
If we find specific information as to date and time we will of course forward any and all of it to the site. I'm interested in learning if there's anything recorded from the 387th side of this story.
We may have actually have some pictures of the event; our historian is going through our archives now. It was a passing mention of B-26 photos that started me delving into this a bit more deeply. Will let you know should anything turn up. If you're familiar with the book 1000 Destroyed, the story appears on pages 58-59. Only a couple of paragraphs, but amusing nonetheless. Debden had its own chicken farm and the head of the mess had planned a big fried chicken dinner, but the mess secretary was waiting until the "bomber boys who came to dinner" had left the base. The outcome? Wrote Hall: "...the bomber boys were able to say when they left 'Well anyway, we stayed until you killed your damn chickens.'"
Will advise as to the outcome of our search. Does the 387th BGA have a newsletter?
Thank you for your time,
Regards,
Tim McCann
Association of the 4th Fighter Group
Editor, The Eagle Eye
Earl McGillen
Information regarding 2nd Lt. Roy C. Robertson of the 322nd Bomb Group. According to the records his plane, “Pickled Dilly,” serial no. 118276, Code SS-C, (MACR 6628), 451st Bomb Squadron was reported missing in action after a night raid, July 8, 1944 on the Noball Headquarters at Chateau de Ribeacourt. The attack involved 32 bombers, of which 9 were shot down. The planes were attacked by 40-50 single and twin-engined German fighters as well as precisely coordinated flak. The crew of his plane was:
1st Lt. Carson R. Gallien, Shreveport, La.(pilot); 1st Lt. Robert K. Schoonmaker, Toronto, Can.(co-pilot); 2nd Lt. Roy C. Robertson (navigator), Waco, Tex.; S/Sgt. Harry C. Marson (bombardier). Mahan, W.Va.; S/Sgt. Glendon E. Jenkins, Galveston, Tex.; T/Sgt. Clair L. Wiseman, Kenosha, Wisc.; S/Sgt. Charles C. Snyder, Chicago, Ill.; 451st Sq.).
There is a photograph of “Pickled Dilly” on page 329 of the book: 322nd Bombardment Group (M): A Memoir Continued. Carrollton, Texas: IMPACT Advertising and Marketing, Inc., 1997.
There is a bit more narrative information from the records on the mission itself, including the names of the other eight crews that were lost. We could photocopy and send those pages (4-5 pages total). I hope this is helpful.
Thank You
CWO (RET) Dennis Rick A/75th Rangers
My name is George Carley and I am the President of the Kingston Ontario Chapter of the Canadian Association of Veterans in United Nations Peacekeeping. My request is of a personal nature.
I am in receipt of a transcript of a daily diary of the pilot of a B-26 aircraft that took off from BW-1, Greenland, bound for Goose Bay, Labrador but crash landed near Saglek Bay, Labrador on December 10, 1942.
The pilot only refers to the crew by first names other than a Lt. Josephson, a Lt. Jansen, and a Sgt Nolan. The other names mentioned are Golm, ,Waywrench, Mangins.
I was wondering if you could shed any light on who these people were, their home towns, and their families, or advise me where I might find this information.
Any assistance you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Yours truly,
George H. Carley, Sgt Ret'd
Patrick Stinson
Sam, I cant give you much information on your grandfather, but Idiots delight was photographed by LIFE photographer Frank Scherschel in 1943. I attack a thumbnail from the Life archive.
Best wishes with your search.
Chris Going
My name is Tim Selfridge and I am doing a little research for my father-in-law. His father was Henry Furmanski who one of the men in the picture with the Mitchell. By chance would you happen to have a larger/higher resolution picture that you could send me?
Unfortunately I don't have much to share as I am just starting to do the research. I just know he was in the 13th Air Corps and my father inlaw said he was in the VBG612 Airgroup which I could find nothing on at all.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Tim Selfridge
It has been a while since I last searched your wonderful site for information on my Dad - Frank M. Cookson - who flew the Old Vet in '43-44 (he also received the DFC for returning in another Marauder, the Homesick after being ravaged by a night fighter 7/7-8/2944 on a night mission over France). On reviewing the site today I came across an entry by a Julie Misa with a couple of photos she'd obtained in an antique shop — on labeled as "The flight crew of 'The Old Vet' Eng 1943" including Dad's name. Unfortunately the file is a low resolution picture. Could you please forward my email address to Ms. Misa requesting she contact me about obtaining a higher resolution copy of the picture.
Many thanks and again, thanks for keeping the memory alive,
Jim Cookson
He was based at Pescara, Jesi and Udine - Italy.
James Maher (Captain SADF retired).
I am a nurse in England who visits patients in their own homes. One of my patients is a lady of 86 who has told me of her work in an aircraft factory during WW2. She has spoken of a her first true love, an American soldier/airman who went on a mission one night and never came back. Before he went he gave a her a Handkerchief with a printed plane on and the words 554 bomber squadron. She has kept this memento all these years and showed it to me on my last visit. She was telling me about "Tony" from Florida and how deeply she had loved him when there was a noise in the room. A file had somehow managed to end up on the floor, it couldn't slide off the bed as I had it propped against my paperwork file in the middle of a large bed. It managed to rise above the paperwork file, cross 3 feet of bed and then land on the floor, travelling at least 5 feet. There was no logical reason for the file to end up where it did.
We looked at each other puzzled and wondered if Tony had visited us from beyond!
Thought I'd share our little "moment" with you.
Thank you
Anne
My name is Dru Cafferty, the son of Clay Cafferty. My dad passed away on Sept. 6th 1986. My mom Marjorie passed away nearly 3 years ago. I am an only child.
I went to a web site on a whim and looked under 323 bomb group, 456 bomb squadron and saw a site on David Knight. I remember mom telling me how he wished he knew where David was. I believe he is in 3 pictures.
My dad finally found where they were having reunions in 1985 and decided to pass on that one, wanting to go the next year.
I worked in printing and when mom and dad visited I enlarged a lot of pictures for him to take to the reunion in 1986. Sadly he passed away a few weeks before his first reunion. I have an officers magazine where dad sent a note looking for David Knight. My mom said he was the pilot on several missions. Dad flew 63 missions.
It was very difficult to deal with his death, so close to joining his old friends. Dad got sick in 1977 with a heart attack/surgery and got Parkinson's disease and was sick for 9 years.
Mom went on to the reunion in 1986 and was joined by his sister.
I went to my first reunion with mom in 1987 I believe, at Niagara Falls. It was overwhelming to see the pictures and here the stories. Alan Hammel gave me a photo like the one in the article of David Knight of the B 26 (1890). I saw it listed Aaron Hammel, but it seemed like he went by Alan when I met him.
I also went to a reunion in Las Vegas, Seattle, and Nashville.
I met so many nice folks dad flew with, and would love to hear back.
Hope to hear back. Thanks, Dru Cafferty
I am contacting you to see if you may be able to help me. I am in contact with a member of the Andrewsfield flying club in the UK with regard to having a celebration in possibly July 2012 for the 70th anniversary of the breaking of ground for the construction of Andrews Field, Gt. Saling, Essex, UK. This was the base for the 322nd BG, 9thAF. I am looking for items to display (photos, pilots log books, in fact anything to do with the 322nd while they were based there.
Kevin Leek.
Ed asked for the identity of this particular B-26. This appears to be a B-26 with "916" as last three digits (41-31916?). AFHSO sent me the following text:
Bartels - - Roll A0859 states - "Ship 916 NL hit by flak over enemy
territory and is MIA. Pilot - LT Bartels, Nav - LT Dale, Bomb - LT Hoenschel.
However, it shows them to be with 416th BG. A loading list page for 16 Feb 45
shows Ship 916-M with 416th BG - 1/Lt D.R. Bartels - F/O W. Sikora - 1/Lt W.H.
Carls - 1/Lt W.L. Hoenshel - S/Sgt W. J. LaBahn - Sgt L.A. Mayer - S/Sgt T.R.
Morris
The peculiar thing is that 416th BG flew A-20/26 types. On the other hand, there was B-26 41-31916 with code JR-M.
Suggestions welcome.
Regards,
Leendert Holleman
Brugge, Belgium
Kevin Shoemaker
On Sept.9th 1943 B-26 41-34958 RG-F "Named Hazard" received a direct flak hit in the bomb bay just prior to bomb release. The crew was 1. Lt Stephen M Danforth
2. Lt. Joseph W Bruck
2.Lt. William J Coffey, Jr.
Sgt. Louis P McNeill
T/Sgt. Jack E Whitehead and
S/Sgt. Joseph E Sanchez.
Please let me know if you need any other information.
The group pictures will have names on the back unless you instruct me otherwise.
Thank you.
Blessings,
Diane
Just read the report by William Bode concerning the 386th Bomb Group Mission #356 on March 9, 1945. Very interesting report for me. I am Mike McCleskey son of Staff Sergeant David McCleskey (KIA) mentioned in the article by Bode. Have not been to the 386th web site in awhile!
My wife and I attended the 386th Reunion in Pittsburg, PA. I believe it was in 1999?(not sure of that). I think the group may have had one more reunion after that?
Chester, I hope this E-mail finds you still doing well. Thoroughly enjoyed visiting with you and all the other people in attendance in Pittsburg. If you get a chance, it would be good to hear from you again.
Thanks you for all your do for the 386th!
Regards,
Mike McCleskey
Bomb Group:391st
Bomb Squadron:575th
Years in service:43-45
Graduation Class: unknown
Class Location: Barksdale
Comments: my grandfather was in 575th, Junies Kervin, no one in my family really talks anymore and I was looking for info on his group. this is all i have found on him. if anyone has anymore info thank you. I also have info that said he was 394th 584th and most of the pictures I have is of 584th b-26 any help would be great.
44 9 P HORSTMAN, CHARLES J., 2LT, XXXX954
CP O'CONNELL, JOHN H., 2LT, XXXX295
B SMITH, PHILLIP, 2LT, XXXX158
N
FE DERVIN, JUNIES C., CPL, XXXXX996
RG RODGERS, JAMES M., CPL, XXXXX492
AG PINGLE, RAY E., CPL, XXXXX929
SOURCE: SO-128, Hqs 391st Bomb Group 9/27/1944 Par. 2
SO-220, Hqs Barkdale Field, 8/7/44, gives the flight engineer's name as Kervin, which I suspect is correct.
Name: Junies Carlton Kervin
S.S. #: XXXXX9079
Staff Sergeant
584th Bombardment Squadron
Army of the United States
Army Serial No. 38 420 996
Decorations:
EAME (Europe-African-Middle Eastern) Campaign Medal with 4 Bronze Stars
Good Conduct Medal
Air Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters
GO 43 Hq 9th BD 19 (Dec 1944)
Distinguished Unit Badge with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters
60 11 Hq 9th AF (Jan 1945)
2 Overseas Service Bars
My grand parents escaped from France before the Nazi occupation. My grandmother left me a Banque de France 100 Cent Francs note dated 1938 that has this hand written on it:
Lt. Charles J. Polos
387th Bomb Group
Chipping Ongar, England
July 1944
12 Missions over France - B-26
If anyone has any information on Lt. Charles J. Polos, or the squadron of the 387th that he flew in, I would be most grateful for the information.
Thank you and god bless,
-Gary M. Gere
I recently met with the sister of William A. Meyer of the 554th BS. He was KIA 31 March 1945 when he jump from an A-26. He has over 30 missions, 20 of which were in a B-26. I was able to get a copy of his flight diary (attached). The first pages lists his crew mates all of which survived the war. I all came across a picture of their B-26 named "Ginny". I can ID Meyer, front row, left, but I can not ID the other men. Their named are in the diary. I also have a nice picture of Meyer. I hope this helps you out.
Marauderman's Name: S/Sgt William A. Meyer
Bomb Group: 386
Bomb Squadron: 554
Years in service: 1943-1945
Graduation Class: ?
Class Location: ?
Comments: S/Sgt was KIA in March 31, 1945 in an A-26 of the above squadron. I believe that they pilot of the plane was Lt. Robert C. Kennedy. I would like to know who was also in the crew of the plane and the s/n of the plane. I cannot find an MACR for the plane. Also S/Sgt flew 20+ missions in a B-26 with the following crew:
Pilot: Robert T. Merserean
Co-Pilot: Eugene M. Heitzman
Bombadiar: Herman E. Myrold
Radioman: James A. Mall
Gunner: Ben F. Dailey
I was wondering if any of these men are still alive. I would like to communicate with them. I am most interested in knowing of Lt. Kennedy's flight on March 31, 1945. William A. Meyer was from my hometown of Hawthorne, NJ and his named is listed on the memorial wall in town. I am researching and writing a book about all of the men listed on the wall.
Thank you,
Paul Chepurko
Can you help me on this. I believe I send you Robertson photo some time ago.
Frank Jasek
Bomb Group: 322nd
Bomb Squadron: 451st
Years in service: unknown
Graduation Class: unknown
Class Location: unknown
Comments: I'm looking for any info at all on my Grandfather. He was on the "Idiots Delight", and that is really all I know. He died when I was pretty young, so I was not able to find out much more. any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Sam Skorheim
Thank you for all you do with your wonderful website.
Marauderman's Name: Carl W. Heline, Pilot
Bomb Group: 387th
Bomb Squadron: 557th
Years in service: 1942-1945
Graduation Class: 44-D
Class Location: Pampa, Texas, 13 April 1944
The attached photo of his crew was taken 9 October 1944, not sure where; Lake Charles, maybe? Named on the back are: front row L-R: “Beats” (?) Tail Gunner, from Texas; Sgt. William B Harbour, Engineer; Sgt. Dominic Di Blasio, radio. Back row L-R: 2nd Lt. Peter Gregorchuk, Co-pilot; 2nd Lt. Carl W Heline, Pilot; 2nd Lt. Calvin A. Kelley, “Bombigator”. Any idea who “Beats” might be?
We as his family are gathering all of Carl’s records, letters and photos that we have, as well as all of the external research we can find, and are preparing a detailed history of him and his service. And we are wondering if anyone might have any photos of him from his training, or from his time in Europe with the 387th?
Carl Heline was killed on February 14, 1945, after being shot down in a B-26B-20, #41-31710, the “General Sherman,” MACR# 12341, above Neuwied, Germany, on Mission 289, the Engers railroad bridge. Apparently that was the 53nd mission for the plane. The crew that day was:
2nd Lt. Peter Gregorchuk (P) - POW
2nd Lt. Carl W Heline (CP) - killed
T/Sgt. Philip Philander Griffee (B/N) - POW
Sgt. Dominic Di Blasio (R/G) - POW
Sgt. William Braxton Harbour (E/G) - POW
Sgt. Howard L Nelson (TG) - POW
We don’t know why Carl’s best friend, Toggler Lt. Kelley, was not on the crew that day. Sgt. Griffee had never met the crew before this day. Apparently he had been transferred over from the 381st BG (Heavy), 533rd SQ, sometime in the previous months.
Does anyone have any photos of this plane? Was it originally assigned to the 558th? Was this the original plane assigned to Capt. Allen N. Sherman? When did it arrive in the UK? Who was in that original crew? Is this the same Capt. Sherman who, in the 387th history, is described as finding and marrying a fine British lass from the Chelmsford area? Also, is this the same Capt. Sherman who was later associated with “Keller’s Killer,” 41-31714? Why was he no longer with the “General Sherman?” I wonder why it had only flown 52 missions by Feb 1945?
We have not yet found Carl’s service records. Do you show how he traveled to the ETO? Was he and his crew assigned a particular plane, or by that time as replacement crews were they given a different plane per mission? Do you have info on when he arrived there? I don’t think it was in time to be at Chipping Ongar/ Willingale? We know he was at Clastres, but was it in time for Cheateaudun? He wrote of the bitter cold in their tents and the ration of only one half bucket of coal every two days. Also, we don’t have a mission list, so we don’t know his total number of missions or where/when. With all the bad weather that winter, it may not be too many. Wonder if he flew any Ardennes missions. Would a mission list for him be available?
Finally, as a challenge to all of you excellent B-26 historians, we have several questions about his final mission. Through online research and first-hand accounts we have determined the following, but please correct anything we may not have accurate.
Mission 289, Engers Railroad Bridge, north of Koblenz. Apparently this was a maximum effort mission of 54 planes, 18 more than the normal 36. I show planes from the 344th BG and the 387th BG; any others? Would it be possible to see a Formation diagram chart for that mission? Apparently at the briefing that day they were told that flak would be extremely heavy, but they were also told to take no evasive action? Could that be possible? If so, how often would that order be given? From log books and diaries of crewmen written about that mission, they all mention how harrowing and terribly unnerving it was because of the unusually concentrated and accurate flak that afternoon, how many planes were lost, and how grateful they were to make it back, especially that day. One account said “the flak looked like a black storm cloud without any openings.”
The MACR shows the General Sherman was flying in the number 5 position, of a number 3 flight, but I don’t know which of the three Boxes it was in. Since it seems to have been among the first planes shot down, would we assume it was in Box 1, Number 3 flight, Number 5 plane?
Another pilot that day reported they did not go on the bomb run in the regular formation, but instead went in a single file “trail formation,” where each group or flight of 6 planes lined up one behind the other, all behind the lead, each box 500 feet below the box ahead. Again, how often were large bomb runs made in that type of “trail formation?” It seems that would make for much easier targets for the flak. Maybe that formation was used rarely, for narrow, high value targets? Any ideas?
I don’t know how many planes were lost on an “average” mission, but my research shows 8 Marauders lost on Mission 289 over the target, all within approx 25 minutes. Here they are in chronological order, with times taken from the MACRs:
1.) 41-31710, 387th BG / 557th BS, MACR# 12341 “General Sherman” 4:15pm
2nd Lt. Peter Gregorchuk (P) - POW
2nd Lt. Carl W Heline (CP) - killed
T/Sgt. Philip Philander Griffee (B/N) - POW
Sgt. Dominic Di Blasio (R/G) - POW
Sgt. William Braxton Harbour (E/G) - POW
Sgt. Howard L Nelson (TG) - POW
2.) 44-67915, 387th BG / 558th BS, MACR# 12342 -plane not named? 4:15pm
1st Lt. Robert J Tobin (P) - POW
2nd Lt. Clayton J Smith (CP) - POW
S/Sgt. Vance R Van Deusen (B/N) - POW
S/Sgt. Harold A Mueller (E/G) - POW
S/Sgt. Robert C Becker (R/G) - POW
S/Sgt. Leo R Mossman (TG) - POW
3.) 42-96164, 387th BG / 558th BS, MACR# 12343 -plane not named? 4:17pm
2nd Lt. Eugene P Pucket II (P) - killed
1st Lt. Wayne R Smith (CP) - killed
S/Sgt. Andrew O Wallace (B/N) - killed
S/Sgt. Edward V Wesolowski (E/G) - killed
S/Sgt. William Lynn Peyton (R/G) - POW
S/Sgt. William H Uhlemeyer (TG) - POW
(There is a video clip on youtube of Sgt. Uhlemeyer recounting his experiences this day)
4.) 42-95900, 344th BG / 497th BS, MACR# 12385 “Lafayette, We Are Here! II” 4:30pm
1st Lt. Robert Clyde Meppen (P) - POW
2nd Lt. Glenn Richard Farthing (CP) - POW
2nd Lt. Gustave Phillip Larson, Jr (B/N) - POW
Sgt. James Chiari, Jr (E/G) - killed
T/Sgt. Samuel Louis Myers (R/G) - killed
Sgt. Elman Cheramie (TG) - killed
5.) 43-34332, 344th BG / 496th BS, MACR# 12386 -plane not named? 4:32pm
1st Lt. Kenneth Gordon Holm (P) - Killed
2nd Lt. William Marshall Holman (CP) - POW
2nd Lt. Phillip George Mulholland (B/N) - killed
Sgt. William Arthur Spear (R/G) - POW
Sgt. Bernard Melvin Rasalais (E/G) - killed
Sgt. Frank Alton McKenny (TG) - killed
6.) 42-95917, Y5-J, 344th BG / 495th BS, MACR# 12344 "Shopworn Angel" 4:32pm
Capt. Thomas Gough Brennan, Jr. (P) - POW
2nd Lt. Frederick William LaFountaine, Jr. (CP) - killed
2nd Lt. Harry William Zuest (B/N) – killed
Sgt. Koy Fred Pace (R/G) - POW
Sgt. Edward Joseph Monahan (E/G) - killed
Sgt. Willard Alexander Delavan - POW
7.) 43-34196, 344th BG / 496th BS, MACR# 12387 -plane not named? 4:38pm
1st Lt. John Paul Nelson (P) – killed
2nd Lt. Douglas Thore Bennett (CP) – killed
2nd Lt. Walter Phillipp Santel (B/N) – POW
Sgt. Warren Oscar Severson (E/G) – POW
S/Sgt. Donald Eugene Brecht (R/G) – killed
Sgt. Arthur John Sullivan (TG) – POW
(Lt. Santel’s account of this mission is found in the book “Bombardiers of WWII, Volume 2”)
8.) 42-95914, 344th BG / 497th BS, MACR# 12352 "Shirley Ann" 4:40pm
1st Lt. William Riley Jones (P) - killed
1st Lt. Richard Caroll Light (CP) - killed
1st Lt. Melvin Ray O'Brien (N) - killed
1st L. John Edward Knight (B) - killed
S/Sgt. Norman D Polk (R/G) - POW
T/Sgt. Uel M Myers (E/G) - killed
S/Sgt. Peter N Dudley (TG) – missing/ killed
(The wreckage of this plane was discovered during a construction project in May 2010, just across the Rhine from Neuwied, Germany, where a dog tag belonging to Sgt. Dudley was also found. http://www.rhein-zeitung.de/regionales/ ... 92110.html There is also a TV news report about it, in German, on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOnVPdwe0f4)
The eventual casualty totals this day over this target came to: 8 ships lost, 43 men downed, 24 killed,19 POW.
During my research I discovered that some of the accounts in the MACR for the General Sherman are incorrect, specifically the German reports about the plane. I found two pages about the General Sherman misfiled in another MACR for this mission, with incorrect crewmen listed. From information obtained through personal letters, interviews and inquiries through the Missing Aircrew Research and Investigation Offices after the war, conducted mostly by Lt. Kelley, we have learned much more about Carl’s fate than is shown in the MACR. We know he was killed on the ground, within 24 hours or so after the crash. For the family, he was MIA for 11 months. Perhaps those details will wait for a dedication page.
But one more point we have learned is this. The truly unsung hero of the downing of the General Sherman is undoubtedly the Pilot that day, Lt. Peter Gregorchuk. Immediately after dropping their bombs, a direct hit of flak took out their left engine and set it on fire. Through quick reaction and teamwork, the two pilots kept control of the plane long enough for first the Tail Gunner Nelson, then the Radio man Di Blasio, then the Engineer Harbour to all bail out the right waist window. Then the plane began to spin and Lt. Gregorchuk put it into a dive to try to extinguish the flames, which he did, and he regained control. During that spin and dive Lt. Heline was having difficulty freeing himself, and the Toggler Griffee was able to help free him. Then Lt. Heline, immediately followed by Sgt. Griffee, bailed out through the bomb bay doors after the plane was brought under control. The plane again began to spin, but Lt. Gregorchuk was able to regain control once more, and was able to make a safe emergency landing in a field very close to the North bank of the Rhine, about 2 km southeast of Neuwied, Germany.
Through the skillful piloting of Lt. Gregorchuk, all 5 crewmembers were able to safely exit the plane and parachute to the ground without serious injury, at a time when there was absolute chaos and destruction all around them; bombs exploding, extreme flak, small arms fire from the ground, pieces of planes falling, burning, and crashing. Lt. Gregorchuk was also not injured. The plane reignited and burned, but not beyond recognition.
I believe all of the crew were captured immediately. Some were placed in a stone building on the East bank of the Rhine near Koblenz. Five hours later Sgt. Harbour was brought in, with one broken ankle. 12 days later, they saw Lt. Gregorchuk and Sgt. Griffee safe, all of them in a Prisoner of War camp. All 5 crewmembers safely returned to the States after the war.
Lt. Gregorchuk apparently died in 1989.
Other Marauders lost that same day over Germany, probably on Mission 290 to the Xanten road junction, as far as I can tell were 42-96226, 43-22512, 41-31859, 43-34286, 42-107613 and 41-31811. That makes the total I have found of 14 Marauders lost on February 14, 1945 over Germany.
Thank you for your help and service through this website.
Matthew Botkin
Nephew of Carl Heline
Bomb Group: 322nd
Bomb Squadron: Unknown possibly 449,450,451, or 452. I believe the name of his plane was "Flak Happy"
Years in service: 19 Dec. 1941 until 21 Feb. 1945. Participated in 56 Sorties from 14 May 1943 through 8 June 1944.
Graduation Class: Unknown
Class Location: 26 Dec 1941 Basic training Biloxi Mississippi at Kessler Field. Glenn L. Martin School near Baltimore MD completed 17 Jul 1942
Comments: Donald Mabon (1922-2007) was my Great-Uncle. Inquiring about any information anyone may have about his plane/missions/service time. I have some information about his service that he wrote out at some point before he died (I can scan it and attach it to an e-mail if anyone is interested). The information regarding the crew he served with is as follows:
Pilot: George Watson
Co-Pilot: John Statts/ Later on a RCAF transfer Warrant Officer W.D. Peters
Bombardier: Ed Clemenzi
Radio Man: Bill Haga
Tail gunner: Jim Pogue
Navigator: Lt. Bridges
Thanks in advance for any further information.
Mike Parsley
I am so proud of my Dad. He was always a hero to me, but when you read of all the other fine men who risked and lost their lives back then, and didn't think twice about serving their county, it is overwhelming.
If anyone knew or knows anything about my Dad please email me. I have pictures of his group etc. Also, if there is an official archive for all of these papers etc., I would like to contribute them. Thanks so much for letting me in your guest book.
With peace and respect,
Sherri Tunis
Akron Marauder Archives
Eric Tutskey
Marauderman's Name: Joe Wawrzaszek
Bomb Group: unknown
Bomb Squadron: unknown
Years in service: unknown
Graduation Class: 1944? back of Plane photo
Class Location: Sheppard Field. Back of photo
Comments: Anything you can offer would be appreciated.
Very Truly Yours,
Ed Wawrzaszek
My mother, his sister, is 90 years young and we are trying to add info we can. My Dad also was an Army soldier who was disabled in WWII in Hawaii.
Blessings,
Diane
Hello Diane,
Your uncle served with the 552nd Bomb Squadron,386th Bomb Group based at Great Dunmow, Essex County, England. On the 9th of September 1943 B-26 41-34958 RG-F "Named Hazard" received a direct flak hit in the bomb bay just prior to bomb release, clouds of black smoke poured from the bomb bay which then exploded and the aircraft disintegrated from the rear of the plane just behind the wings. The crew that day was 1.Lt Stephen M Danforth,2.Lt Joseph W Bruck,2.Lt William J Coffey, Jr; Sgt Louis P McNeill; T/Sgt Jack E Whitehead and S/Sgt Joseph E Sanchez. Danforth, Bruck and Coffey were killed in the aircraft Whitehead was missing in action while McNeill and Sanchez became prisoners of war.
Regards Trevor Allen, historian, B26.com
It recently came to my attention that my name sake 1st Lt. Joseph C. Bostick was a pilot of the B-26 and also stationed in Laon. His plane was the "Louisiana MudHen". We are currently trying to obtain information on his service to our country. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Joseph C. Bostick was my great uncle on my mother's side. He was killed in action over Germany. Recently, my brother gave me a Christmas present of Uncle Joe's unclassified flight record which documented his final flight. Bizarrely enough, footage of my uncle's last thirty seconds of life can be seen on youtube [here]. I've been trying to track down information on my Uncle which brought me to the B26.com website. Getting into contact with someone who may have known him would be great. I'll work on getting the pictures to add a dedication page to the site. By the way, the video was taken from a History channel documentary on the Marauder. My Uncle is referenced by Manny Blumenthal and Fred Mingus in a book written about the Marauders and the Battle of the Bulge. Any information on these two men is greatly appreciated.
My uncle is buried at the Jefferson Cemetery in Missouri. I believe he was shot down on December 23rd 1944. Crew:
Pilot 1/Lt. Joseph C. Bostick of Orleans Parish, LA
Co-Pilot 2/Lt. James P. Hodges of Buncombe County, NC
Bombardier 1/Lt. Howard Detel of Albany County, NY
Engineer-Gunner S/Sgt. Albin W. Les of Hampden County, MA
Radio-Gunner S/Sgt. Robert E. Hohimer of Los Angeles, CA
Armourer-Gunner S/Sgt. A. C. Carrell of Walker County, AL
Joseph Kuhner
***
Joseph,
My name is Roy Bozych and I am the historian for the 323rd Bomb Group.
Your name sake, 1st Lt. Joseph C. Bostick, was a pilot with the 453rd Squadron. This is one of four squadrons of the 323rd BG. The others are the 454th, 455th & 456th. If you go to this page on our website listed below it will give you a little history about the 323rd BG as well as show you the Squadron patches: http://www.323bg.org/history.html
Lt. Bostick and his entire crew were killed in action during the "Battle of the Bulge" on December 23, 1944. For all the Marauder Bomb Groups participating in missions that day , this was one of the worse day in their history for aircraft losses due to a combination of heavy FLAK and German fighters. The 323rd BG's target for that day was the Eller Railroad Bridge. Lt. Bostick was flying 41-31896 radio call sign VT-G named "Louisiana Mud Hen". It had a secondary name of "Circle Jerk". 41-31896 received a direct FLAK hit to the left engine as it approached the target, rolled over on it's back and crashed. Unfortunately because of this violent maneuver and the G forces it produced no one was able to get out of the plane.
I have attached a copy of their missing air crew report, MACR 11659. There is an eye witness report contained in it. Let me know if you have any questions.
Regards,
Roy R. Bozych
323rd BG Historian
Joseph, I remember your Uncle, he was a good man. John Moench
Bomb Group: 17th BG
Bomb Squadron: 73rd BS
Years in Service: 40-Early 50s (Active) Reserves retired, date unknown
Graduation Class: Unknown
Class location: Primary, Glendale, CA. Basic, Randolph Field, TX. Advanced, Kelly Field, Graduated July 26, 1940
Doing research for a friend, the granddaughter of this amazing aviator.. Lieutenant Pletcher flew B-18s, then transitioned to B-26s. He was originally attached to the 17th Bomb Group, 73rd Bombardment Squadron. His unit detached from the 17th BG in the spring of 1941 and sent to Alaska, flying B-18s. Once there they joined the 36th BS. He flew anti-shipping missions. His aircraft was modified by removing the bombardier and navigator positions in the nose and installing two .50 caliber machine guns and two 20 millimeter cannons.
On November 26, 1942, Pletcher participated in the attack on the Cherryboune Maru offloading cargo in Holtz Bay, Attu Island. Capt Pletcher led a a four ship flight of B-26s accompanied by four P-38s from the 54th Fighter Squadron.
I can scan some pictures and send them to you. I am a huge WWII buff, especially Air Force history as I am a retired Master Sergeant. In an 11th Air Force Association newsletter. Pletcher is quoted as saying his checkout consisted of four touch and goes in the traffic patterns and a crew familiarization flight. Surprising for such a high performance bomber. He'd flown B-18s prior to that and stated the landing speed for the B-26 was 100 mph faster.
Any further information, especially photos of Pletcher, his crew, and plane would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Louis Cirillo
For example, addressing the often repeated statement that members of the Truman Committee visited Avon Park and found three freshly crashed and burning Martin B-26s and the "One a Day in Tampa Bay" myth, here's something to think about.
I have tracked down the crash sites and read the reports. One of my goals is to document every crash site on this base. This is my humble opinion:
To state that there were burning Marauders on the field you only have to look at the crash records to debunk their propaganda. First, there wasn't any crashes that involved three planes, second there weren't any single crashes of three planes on the same day and third do you really think they are going to allow a single plane, let alone three planes to sit there and burn. Of course not! They had the equipment (I have the pictures!) to put those fires out and reach them no matter where they crashed. If they did continue to burn it was demoralizing to the entire base! Also they couldn't get to the bodies, the bombs could explode, and the fuel tanks could explode. If the "burning" planes were within sight of the airfield that meant they were within reach of the ordnance area which was 3,866 feet from the runway.
Crash protocol says get the bodies, bombs and guns! At that time they were salvaging parts of crashed ships like marauding pirates! There were many crashes where people survived! That meant they had to get there fast! This saying came from the Tampa paper and their idiotic "One a Day in Tampa Bay!". The saying "One every few weeks in Tampa Bay" was not a catchy phrase.
Thank you,
Kathy Couturier
Cultural Resources Manager, Archaeologist
Avon Park Air Force Range
[large
image]The story of the rescue attempt of nine year old John Paul Stephenson as adapted from the Department’s History Book:
The first out engine was called “Squad 1”. It was staffed by five firefighters—George Davis the captain, Ambrose Riley the motor operator, Stanley O’Brien, Charlie Hayes and Lyle Gardner firefighters. The three firefighters rode the tailboard of the engine.
Squad One saw the child out in the water within 200 feet of the north shore. He was struggling to stay afloat and trying to get back up on the edge of the ice. The hypothermia that comes with cold water immersion was already affecting him.
The turnout gear of the day was a fiberglass Mine Safety Appliances black helmet, a heavy weight cotton duck canvas-like turn out coat with a thick wool liner, and thigh-high black rubber firefighter’s boots.
Riley and O’Brien using the era’s best techniques and equipment grabbed a 14’ roof ladder and a pike pole. Hayes grabbed a rope while the other two brought the 24’ extension ladder.
O’Brien slid the ladder out on the ice ahead of himself to distribute his weight across the ice. Upon reaching the open water with the tip, he moved out to hook the child’s clothing with the pike pole.
Riley joined O’Brien on the ladder, but the additional weight caused the ladder and firefighters to break through the ice, plunging them into the icy water.
Davis, Gardner, and Hayes tried to get to the three trapped in the water by using the extension ladder on the ice. The ice had no stability and all three of these rescuers broke through the ice into waist deep water. Hayes tried a number of times to throw the 1” diameter hemp rescue rope to Riley and O’Brien, but the water logged rope was too heavy to fly. They tried repeatedly to get to Riley and O’Brien. These three also would have perished had they not been ordered out of the water and pulled into a boat.
Neighbors and other rescuers took boats and a canoe from nearby homes and started working their way out to the open water. Movement was agonizingly slow as the boats and canoe had to fight the ice to make forward progress.
Riley and O’Brien tried to keep the child on a piece of wood that was floating in the open water, but the child was rapidly losing consciousness. The cold water was taking its toll on Riley and O’Brien at the same time their heavy turnout gear made all the heavier after soaking up many times its weight in water. The weight of their gear was consuming every bit of energy they had to keep their heads above water.
By the time rescuers made it to the open water, Riley, O’Brien and the child had slipped below the surface. The firefighters were pulled from the water within twenty minutes and the boy was found forty five minutes later. Despite heroic resuscitation efforts, all three perished.
Fire Chief Greg K. Martin
Rochester Fire Department
Along with other serious B-26 Marauder historians, I have devoted decades to the study and correction of the Martin B-26 Marauder history. With regret, many of you who read B-26 Marauder history, articles, and newsletters, or who view documentaries are being exposed to a high degree of fiction rather than history and fact. The extent to which B-26 Marauder history has been distorted to say what it was not is enormous.
Those persons who you recognize as serious B-26 Marauder historians have spent decades correcting the historical record of the B-26 Marauder. But the truth is that errors in this history continue to materialize. Many of these historical errors were first developed in the 1940s. Some of these 1940ish historical errors have continued to be repeated and have been promoted and advanced in recent years, some are now newborn garbage. Because not everyone can detect what is a historical error, many who read this have been guilty of advancing these errors by repeating them to others. [read more]
Adam Toth Jr.
394 BGp
587 Bomb Sq
Eng Gunner Stationed Boreham, England
Crew: Pilot 2nd Lt William R Nielson, 2Lt Donald Damer, Co-Pilot, SSGT Adam Toth, Sgt Jack King, Sgt Elmer Fellhauer-Waist Gunner, SSgt Grevaise F Jarmer, tail gunner. Fellhauer, Jarmer and Toth survived as POW's. Toth escaped, Fellhauer and Jarmer were liberated after the war. All others were KIA.
The inquiry was from Don Copple, posted 12/10/2010. His great Uncle was Donald Damer. He wanted photos of crewman, the Hannibal Hoops aircraft. He would like to see any info. I am enclosing a picture Adam Toth.
Thanks for your help.
Patti Morris
Thank you,
Andy Finley
In the letters referring to Frank flying in 871 do you have a date, this could, if correct, fit 871 in to "El Toro"
Trevor Allen historian b26.com
I am trying to put together some information about my grandfather James Foster. He was in the 391st BG 572 BS from late in 1944 until march 19th of 1945 when he was transferred to the 397th BG 596 BS for the remainder of the European war as far as I can tell. I am in the process of scanning close to 300 letters that he sent home through the war. I have attached a picture that was in one of the letter of him flying, he said "Joe took a picture of me flying today, we fly pretty close". that was on Sept 12, 1945. I was wondering how I might go about finding more information about him through your website. Also I was wondering how I would submit copies of some of the letters and picture to you? Thanks for hosting a good website and I look forward to talking to you soon.
[large
image]Respectfully,
Andrew Foster
Marauder Men, family and friends are invited to add content to the web site. Tell a story. Include as much information as you can.
